U.S. House Appropriations Committee Approves $20 Million for SBP Commodities

The full House Appropriations Committee approved the FY2019 Agriculture Appropriations Bill on Wednesday, May 16th on a vote of 31-20. SNA was successful in getting two of its legislative priorities included in the bill language that the Committee approved. This marks the first critical step in the multi-step legislative process.

SNA is excited to report that the appropriations bill includes $20 million for School Breakfast Program commodities. Further, SNA was also able to secure December 31, 2018 as the deadline to make a determination under Paid Lunch Equity provisions for the 2019-2020 school year. This will provide schools with a good grasp of meal prices well in advance of the next school year and will help in determining any potential future lunch price increases.

At the hearing on Wednesday, the Committee also approved two amendments that impact school nutrition programs. The first eliminates restrictions on the inclusion of starchy vegetables in School Breakfast Program meals. The second directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary to issue recommended standards schools may adopt for unpaid meal policy. The U.S. Senate has yet to release a FY2019 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Both chambers must agree on a single version before it is sent to the President to be signed into law.